Russia to lead exports of non GMO food

Russia could become the largest exporter of non-GMO food products and achieve self sufficiency by 2020. According to the RT.com report, in his speech at the Russian parliament on December 3rd, Vladimir Putin was quoted as saying:

“We are not only able to feed ourselves taking into account our lands, water resources – Russia is able to become the largest world supplier of healthy, ecologically clean and high-quality food which the Western producers have long lost, especially given the fact that demand for such products in the world market is steadily growing,”

In his speech Vladimir Putin went on to highlight Russia’s efforts in transforming into a major exporter of agricultural goods

“Ten years ago, we imported almost half of the food from abroad, and were dependent on imports. Now Russia is among the exporters. Last year, Russian exports of agricultural products amounted to almost $20 billion – a quarter more than the revenue from the sale of arms, or one-third the revenue coming from gas exports,”

A strategic decision to invest on natural food production from a super power like Russia could bring about great changes in agriculture. If other major food exporting countries follow suit, a greater supply of naturally grown foods would bring prices down, increase market size and make ecological products the right and cheaper choice for all consumers.